Floating solar support module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floating solar power plant systems face challenges with stability and ease of assembly, particularly in harsh environments with significant wave movements, and require large volumes for transportation due to their design and structure.
Innovation Solution
A modular floating solar power plant support system comprising elongate buoyancy elements, U-shaped beam elements with flanges, and rib elements, allowing for easy assembly and transportation, with the ability to connect multiple modules for increased stability and flexibility in panel arrangement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a modular construction with separate elements is used, then ease of transportation and manual assembly is improved, but structural stability and resistance to wave movements deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into separate modular elements including buoyancy elements, beam elements, and solar panel support elements. Each element can be independently transported and manually assembled on-site without requiring cranes or advanced lifting equipment, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of transportation and structural integrity.
2Ease of manufacture
If a molded construction filled with air is used to achieve buoyancy, then ease of manufacture is improved, but resistance to wave movements and stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single large molded construction is segmented into multiple smaller buoyancy elements that can be connected through beam elements. This segmentation allows the structure to flex and adapt to wave movements while maintaining overall stability, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and wave resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam elements incorporate angled portions that can pivot or adjust in response to wave forces, allowing the structure to dynamically adapt to environmental conditions rather than rigidly resisting them, thereby improving wave movement resistance while maintaining manufacturability.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a large volume construction is used to provide stability, then stability is improved, but transportation requirements and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The large volume stability requirement is achieved through multiple distributed buoyancy elements rather than a single large structure. When assembled, these elements create a wide footprint and stable platform, but during transportation, they occupy minimal space as compact individual components, resolving the contradiction between stability and transportation volume.
4Ease of operation
If the construction rests against the water surface to provide buoyancy, then ease of operation is improved, but movement transmission to the whole plant increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between buoyancy elements and the solar panel support structure is segmented through articulated beam elements with angled portions. This segmentation allows each module to move independently with wave action rather than transmitting movement throughout the entire plant, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and movement stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The modular system provides enhanced stability against environmental forces, reduced movement due to wave action, and easier assembly and transportation, enabling efficient solar energy output and adaptability in harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
Each molded construction is filled with air to achieve the required buoyancy
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a
Figure 2b
AI summary
The invention relates to a floating solar power plant support module that comprises at least two parallelly arranged elongate buoyancy elements (4a, 4b, 4c) and at least two beam elements (2a, 2b, 2c) that are perpendicularly connected with respect to the buoyancy elements. The two beam elements have each a vertex portion (21) arising from an angled portion (24) of the respective beam element situated between two adjacent buoyancy elements. The two beam elements are respectively formed as a U-shaped beam element (27, 29) with flanges (27). The respective beam elements have at least two second recesses (25) adapted to respectively receive a portion of the buoyance element, and at least two first recesses (26). The first and second recesses are formed in the flanges surface. The support module also comprises at least two elongate rib elements (5) arranged respectively in the first recesses of the two beam elements.